The training event, hosted by our partner, ProWork, proved to be a valuable opportunity for social workers hailing from all three participating countries to convene, exchange experiences, deliberate on the prevailing needs of the labor market within the social service sector, and explore local facilities. Barbara Bolle, one of the participants, graciously responded to our inquiries, offering insights into her experience.
How satisfied are you with the KEEP UP training experience? From 1 to 5 with 1 being absolutely not satisfied and 5 being extremely satisfied?
I found the project I was allowed to participate in very fascinating and I give it a big 5.
What is your overall opinion of the experience?
I really enjoyed being part of an international and diverse group, but personally I found the tours extremely useful, because they gave me an insight into potential workplaces and expanded my network. I also found the demonstration and explanation of the VR glasses inspiring and gave me an impulse to look at my work “with different eyes”.
Was sharing experiences with social workers from abroad useful? If yes or no, why or why not?
The presentations by the social workers from abroad were fascinating and gave a glimpse into a different world. In that respect it was an enrichment.
Have you had a chance to ask them questions? If yes or no, why or why not?
I was able to ask many questions. If I find something interesting, I would like to know more about it. I really enjoyed the opportunity to ask questions.
How do you rate the experience at Zierk7 (incl. Elders VR) and at the Vlinderduin?
The tours provided a unique insight, broadened my horizons, provided different perceptions and inspiration and expanded my network. I found it very valuable.
We extend our gratitude to the social workers who actively participated in the pilot phase of the e-learning program developed in this project, offering valuable feedback and practical insights. We are delighted to present our initial findings, revealing that participants consistently complete the entire e-learning course shortly after accessing the first chapter. Notably, the most widely favoured chapter revolves around IT Safety, closely followed by Online Forms, Internet of Things, and Smart Apps. The overwhelmingly positive feedback centers on the perceived benefits of the e-learning experience and the practical application of the acquired knowledge. We are pleased that all participants found the level of difficulty in the e-learning content to be just right, addressing one of our key challenges in striking the right balance.
“Everything is very detailed and interesting.”
“I appreciate that all examples are related to our daily work.”
“I have found a lot of interesting information!”
“It would be nice to have such training as a formal education at work.”
… these are just few comments from participants.
Home for the elderly from Kromeriz Vazany has joined to project and provided the very first feedback on the new e-learning. Employees from the Home took part also in training in the Netherlands and met with social services workers from Lithuania and the Netherlands.
What is their work about shows the video.
Our partner from Lithuania, SPI, used a great opportunity to present the KEEP UP project for the audience of All Digital Weeks, an annual digital inclusion and empowerment campaign run at digital competence centres, libraries, community centres, schools and other venues across Europe. Every year it helps 100,000 Europeans to learn and be inspired by what technology can do for them.
You can see the video presentation.
Social workers from The Netherlands, Lithuania and Czech Republic met in the first week of November in the Dutch seaside town of Burgh Haamstede where they were warmly welcomed by the host organization PRO WORK.
Within the KEEP UP project they got to know more about e-learning that has been created by the project partners. They have also had the opportunity for discussion and sharing experience from their daily work and so could find out what are the main similarities and differences.
An interesting part of the visit was the tour through the new modern retirement home Zierik7 in the nearby town of Zierikzee. The social were introduced to the facilities and all the modern technologies used for daily care of the clients. The tour also included a presentation of VR technology called ELDER VR used as a part of the therapy for the clients. They tried the 3D glasses and shared their feelings with us.
Last but not least we had the opportunity to take a look at VINDERDUIN (a home where 8 women with mild mental disabilities live under supervision, each has her own space, works and takes care of herself mostly alone, but also shares common spaces). This interesting project was started in 2017 and continues successfully.
The participants of this meeting gained a lot of new knowledge and experience and established new relationships that could hopefully result in further beneficial cooperation in the future.
The representatives of the partner organizations met again in Kaunas, Lithuania in March 2023. The great atmosphere during the meeting was enhanced by the fact that one phase of the project was successfully completed.
The partners agreed that the entire e-learning content has been finalized, all chapters should bring new and beneficial information for the target groups. From now on the partners have started translating the learning content to soon be able to present the e-learning in the partner languages.
Are you curious what we are doing in the project? Are you considering if the e-learning might be for you? In the small video we might give you an answer. Follow us on social networks and check the website regularly. The first modules in the e-learning are being uploaded.
Representatives of Euroface Consulting, Pro Work and SPI personally met in Prague, on the 15th of July 2022 to discuss the Keep-up project progress. The main discussions were focused on the structure of the e-learning to be developed, the project timeline and the target groups. Partners have agreed on the milestones and left with clear ideas how to proceed with the project realization.
The KEEP UP project has started in March 2022 in cooperation of the Czech Republic, Lithuania and the Netherlands. Partners met online first, to plan the first project stages, especially the structure of e-learning. The first face to face meeting is planned on July 2022.